Criminal defense lawyers in San Pedro, CA. Everyone in San Pedro, CA, hopes that they'll never need a criminal defense attorney. Maybe you broke a law even though you were trying not to. Maybe the alleged victim is making the allegations up, or you made a decision you now regret. Or maybe your child called you from jail, and you're looking for a San Pedro, CA, criminal defense lawyer to help you make a plan to go forward.
For any of these reasons, or more, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is here to help you. We have over 25 of the top criminal defense attorneys in California, and have a history of success, even in the toughest cases.. Get in touch at (800) 755-5174 or for a free, confidential consultation.
Why You Need a San Pedro, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer NOW
Waiting to hire an attorney can be detrimental to your case. While you're hesitating, the chances of a positive outcome go down, as the state gets more of a head start. California can be very harsh in sentencing, and failing to build your defense right away could make the difference whether you go to prison or avoid a conviction.
Additionally, the longer you delay hiring an attorney, the more likely you are to unintentionally give the prosecution evidence that hurts you. Answering questions without an attorney treating the charges as unserious, or even speaking with anyone other than your attorney could be inadvertently making it harder on yourself.
Hiring a San Pedro, CA, criminal defense lawyer early is important for your freedom. Doing it right away can even save you from the charges going to court. By challenging evidence and communicating with the state early, your attorney may be able to get the charges dropped or dismissed.
If you've been arrested, it doesn't matter the day or time – call us now. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we're always ready for your call and begin building your defense from the first call.
How Our San Pedro, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You
When you work with us, you're getting a law firm that not only knows how to win in court, but also knows how to treat you like a person, not a case number. Because we listen to you first, we both build a defense based around your situation and understand the impact we have on your life.
We will go about your case by:
- Learning about your case from all angles – from you, the state's evidence, and our own investigations, we get to know your case inside and out.
- Build a strong defense by filing motions to suppress evidence, working with expert witnesses, and challenging the state's subpoenas.
- Be at your side in court if the case needs to go to trial. We fight to remove biased jurors, discredit the state's witnesses in cross–examination, and show reasonable doubt.
- Negotiate with the state for plea deals. If we show the prosecution the weaknesses in their case, you're more likely to receive an offer of a plea deal with a lesser sentence.
- Advocate for lesser sentences during negotiations and after a trial. We'll fight for probation or shorter sentences, highlighting mitigating factors.
- Helping you clear your record after a court case. We'll assist with the expungement, sealing, and destruction of arrest and criminal records. Don't be a victim of a past conviction.
San Pedro, CA, Criminal Defense Practice Areas for the Law Offices of David S. Chesley
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can help you with almost any San Pedro, CA criminal charge, and are here to help with whatever charge you're facing in San Pedro, CA. Our criminal defense attorneys practice defenses for:
Traffic Charges
Traffic charges cover everything that happens on the road. They can include driving while intoxicated, driving while high, and reckless driving. Traffic charges we commonly defend in San Pedro, CA, include:
- DUI/DWI Charges
- DUI Refusal Charges
- Hit and Run Charges
- Wet Reckless Charges
- Driving Without a License Charges
- And more
Violent Offense Charges
Violent crime charges tend to have high penalties in San Pedro, CA, no matter which specific one you're alleged to have committed. They can include anything from threats to firearm possession to actually harming another. Below are violent crime charges we frequently defend clients against:
- Assault
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- Resisting Arrest
- Rioting
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
- And more
Drug Charges
Drug charges in San Pedro, CA, typically range from possession to distribution of a controlled substance. California's controlled substances list is long and covers anything from marijuana to opioids. If you're facing any of the following common charges (or another one) for any controlled substance, contact us now to start building your defense:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Opiods
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Possession for Sale
- And more
Theft Charges
San Pedro, CA, theft charges cover a wide variety of alleged actions. Sentences are more severe for forceful or violent theft, such as robbery. If you're up against one of the below theft charges, or another one, call us today:
Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes can be treated even harsher than violent crimes. They can involve either the commission of a sexual act, certain communications, or the consumption of some pornographic materials. Here are some sex crime charges that we defend against:
Murder Charges
Murder charges are some of the most serious you can face in San Pedro, CA. Whether unintentional or on purpose, or even unsuccessful, the law is harsh, meaning that you need a San Pedro, CA, defense attorney with extensive experience at your side. If you're facing murder charges like the following, contact us now to start building your defense:
- Attempted Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Second Degree Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- And more.
Contact our lawyers today to learn more about how we can help with your case.
What To Look For in Your San Pedro, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
It's important to pick the right San Pedro, CA, criminal defense lawyer to defend your charges. There are lots of options out there, but some stand out from the rest. Hiring the right criminal defense attorney is essential to protect your freedom and empower your case. When you're looking at lawyers to hire, be sure to keep the following in mind:
- Experience – ideally as both defense and prosecution attorneys.
- Relationships With Local Courts – as these are key in securing plea deals.
- Knowledge of Your Charges – previously worked on cases with the same charges that you're facing.
- Good Reputation – both from previous clients and their peers.
- Responsiveness and Availability – you want a lawyer who listens and a firm that's always available.
- Transparent Costs – don't overpay or get caught up in surprise charges.
How We Fight in the San Pedro, CA, Court System to Protect Your Freedom:
As soon as you hire us, we get to work on a compelling, vehement defense strategy for your case. We never underestimate the prosecution or case against you; we start early and stick with you throughout the legal process, scaring the prosecution and persuading the jury.
As soon as you call our San Pedro, CA, criminal defense lawyers, we take immediate action. When we take on a major criminal defense case, here are the steps we typically take:
- Understand Your Case – We learn from you directly about your case, and conduct other investigations to get ahead of the prosecution.
- Fight For Charges Dropped or Dismissed – Either at a pre–filing investigation conference or a preliminary hearing, if we can get the charges dropped or dismissed, we'll do so.
- Argue To Get You Out of Jail Before the Trial – At a bail hearing, we show why you should be freed in the meantime before a trial, and minimize the bail you'll need to post to get your freedom back.
- Be Your Go-Between With the Prosecution – We'll negotiate to find a plea deal that works for you.
- Defend You at Trial – Using the defense we built while first learning about your case, we'll scrutinize the state's case at trial and show reasonable doubt to the jury.
- Represent You for Sentencing and Appeals – If your case reaches this point, we will argue for lenient sentencing and can appeal the case to a higher court for justice.
Why Choose Our San Pedro, CA, Criminal Defense Lawyers:
When you hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you're getting a team of criminal defense lawyers with over 50 years of courtroom experience, both as defense attorneys and as prosecutors. We know the way the prosecution builds its case, and we use our knowledge to tear it apart.
Our relationships with judges and prosecutors throughout California help us get the best plea deal possible before most cases even go to trial. But if your case does reach a jury, we're prepared to defend you with a staunch defensive strategy.
We're highly regarded by both clients and experts. Our firm defends all major criminal charges, and is comprised of the leading criminal defense lawyers in California. We offer reasonable payment plans, and our phones are available around the clock if you have any questions or you need to speak with someone right away.
Call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Now – Your Freedom Depends On It
When you're facing charges in San Pedro, CA, it's critical to have a powerful defense. You need a lawyer who's experienced and ready. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc. is up to the job.
For all criminal charges, our team is prepared with experience and expertise. Reach out right away – the more time that passes before you start building your defense, the harder it will be to protect your freedom. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to start building your defense against these allegations.
We also provide the following legal services in San Pedro, CA:
Payment Plans
